Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center News

Southeast CASC staff and investigators at NC State and Consortium universities are continuing the work of the SE CASC during the shutdown of the Federal government.

Global Change Fellows have organized the Spring Global Change Seminar Series, which will cover topics related to sea level rise such as the mechanics, impacts, human stories, and adaptation. First in the series is Current State of Sea Level Rise in North Carolina, being held on Feb. 7, 3:30 pm in 101 David Clark Labs, NC State campus. Remote connections are available. See details at bit.ly/StateofSLR.

2016-17 Global Change Fellow Paul Taillie and Faculty Affiliate Chris Moorman published an article, Marsh bird occupancy along the shoreline‐to‐forest gradient as marshes migrate from rising sea level, in Ecosphere. They found that marsh birds were less likely to occupy areas closest to the interface where coastal marsh communities have recently shifted landward toward coastal forest as sea level rises, and identified prescribed fire as a tool to increase the quality and quantity of habitat for coastal marsh birds in areas of marsh migration.

Resources

FEATURED RESOURCE

Living Planet Report 2018

Living Planet Report 2018 is the twelfth edition of World Wildlife Fund’s biennial publication. The report describes drivers, stressors, and threats to earth’s vertebrate biodiversity. Calculated Living Planet Indices (LPI) show the average rate of change over time across a set of species populations. These populations are taken from the Living Planet Database, which contains information on more than 22,000 populations of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians. The global LPI, based on just over 16,700 of these populations, shows an overall decline of 60% in the population sizes of vertebrates between 1970 and 2014. Learn more.

Climate Signals is a digital science platform that maps recent events and impacts related to climate change. This connectivity program identifies the relationship between greenhouse gas emissions and user-selected climate-related events (ie. hurricanes, wildfires, coral bleaching, etc.). The data are drawn from a relational database of events which allows the platform to create a “signal tree” that graphically displays the the long-term projection of climate change in relation to a specific climate event. Currently in open-beta release, it is developed by Climate Nexus, a non-profit organization that supports communications about climate change and clean energy. Learn more.

Making Climate Assessments Work is a product of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s two-day workshop entitled “Making Climate Assessments Work: Learning from California and Other Subnational Climate Assessments”. Subnational organizations continue to produce climate change impact reports to share with their stakeholders of how to prepare accordingly for the effects of climate change. This publication provides a summary of the discussions that took place at that workshop. Read the report.

Living Shorelines Academy is a partnership between Restore America’s Estuaries and the North Carolina Coastal Federation that provides information and training for property owners and contractors on how to sustainably control erosion along estuarine shorelines. The protection techniques rely on native plants to reduce erosion, trap sediment, and filter runoff while maintaining a healthy coastal wetland habitat. The academy offers a number of additional resources to advance the policy, science, and practice of these at-risk ecosystems. Learn more.

Linkage Priority Tool. This newly released version estimates and maps the relative priority of wildlife linkages in a region based on the weighted combination of ten considerations, including climate change. It is part of Linkage Mapper, a GIS toolbox designed to support regional wildlife habitat connectivity analyses. Developed by Conservation Biology Institute, it consists of several Python scripts, packaged as an ArcGIS toolbox, that automate mapping of wildlife habitat corridors. Learn more.

Water-Quality Changes in the Nation’s Streams and Rivers. In an effort to protect and sustain our water resources, this interactive mapper displays stream trends in water chemistry and aquatic ecology for four time periods. The viewer can choose to investigate certain constituents by concentration or load in a certain area during a specific time period. Learn more.

Urban Adaptation Assessment, an interactive database funded by the Kresge Foundation and led by the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative collates a rich dataset within a visual platform to give leaders the data they need to make decisions on how best to adapt and prepare for climate-change impacts. Learn more.

The 2018 Prescribed Fire Use Survey Report from the National Association of State Foresters and the Coalition of Prescribed Fire Councils is now available. Conducted every three years, this year’s report documents a 12 percent decrease in the use of prescribed fire on forested acreage nationwide since 2011. More information.

The IUCN SSC guidelines for assessing species’ vulnerability to climate change is a document that was created to assist practitioners in carrying out climate change vulnerability assessments (CCVA) of species. The related literature is inconsistent and lacked a direct outline of how to carry out a CCVA. This paper summarizes the main approaches, measurable objectives, and common methods to provide a more comprehensive guide for conservation managers. More information.

Notable Publications

An assessment of the impacts of climate change on Puerto Rico’s Cultural Heritage with a case study on sea-level rise. This study conducted a spatial analysis and vulnerability assessment of the 1185 cultural heritage sites in Puerto Rico. Their results revealed that 27 sites are currently submerged during high tide. As sea levels continue to rise, researchers predict that by mid-century, 56 sites will be inundated and by the end of the century, 140 sites will be affected. As these are conservative estimates and numerous cultural heritage sites lie within close proximity of the high tide line, this paper highlights the pertinent need for conducting vulnerability assessments and developing subsequent adaptation strategies to protect cultural heritage sites. Link to article.

Holding steady: Little change in intensity or timing of bird migration over the Gulf of Mexico. A new study combining data from citizen scientists and weather radar stations is providing detailed insights into spring bird migration along the Gulf of Mexico and how these journeys may be affected by climate change. Findings on the timing, location, and intensity of these bird movements have been published. Link to article.

How fast are the oceans warming? Heat trapped by greenhouse gases is raising ocean temperatures faster than previously thought, concludes an analysis of four recent ocean heating observations. The results provide further evidence that earlier claims of a slowdown or ‘hiatus’ in global warming over the past 15 years were unfounded. Link to article.

Evaluating the effects of land-use change and future climate change on vulnerability of coastal landscapes to saltwater intrusion. Coastal plain regions are especially vulnerable to the threat of sea level rise as the saltwater can infiltrate freshwater reserves through surface or groundwater connections. Land-use changes, such as man made canals, ditches, and drains can intensify this threat on already vulnerable coastal landscapes. This study conducted a regional spatial analysis throughout eastern North Carolina and concluded that wetlands are most vulnerable to saltwater intrusion. Link to article.

Global synthesis of conservation studies reveals the importance of small habitat patches for biodiversity.Journal Abstract. We undertook a global synthesis of the relationship between the conservation value of habitat patches and their size and isolation, based on 31 systematic conservation planning studies across four continents. We found that small, isolated patches are inordinately important for biodiversity conservation. Our results provide a powerful argument for redressing the neglect of small, isolated habitat patches, for urgently prioritizing their restoration, and for avoiding simplistic application of island biogeography theory in conservation decisions. Link to article.

The ‘pause’ in global warming in historical context: (II). Comparing models to observations. Authors review the evidence for an apparent divergence between global mean surface temperature (GMST) and Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) projections during a period in the early 21st-century, in particular the heavily-reported claim that climate models over-estimated warming. They systematically compared temperatures and projections using historical versions of GMST products and historical versions of model projections that were available at the times when claims about a divergence were made. A variety of statistical techniques that corrected for problems in previous work were used to show that there is no robust statistical evidence for a divergence between models and observations during the time period. Link to article.

Tribal News

Culturally Relevant Climate Change Adaptation Planning for Tribes and Tribal Partners. Traditional and indigenous knowledges and perspectives have not often been recognized in climate adaptation planning efforts focused on natural and cultural resources. This training will use the new Tribal Adaptation Menu along with the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science Adaptation Workbook to integrate tribal and traditional values with climate adaptation planning processes. Feedback and discussion on the menu will be welcomed and encouraged. The workshop will take place from January 23 – 24th, 2019 at the Cloquet Forestry Center in Cloquet, Minnesota. Learn more.

Tribal Clean Water Act Section 319 Competitive Grant Request for Applications. The Environmental Protection Agency is soliciting applications pursuant to Section 319 of the Clean Water Act from eligible tribes and intertribal consortia to develop and/or implement watershed-based plans and implement watershed projects that will result in significant steps towards solving Nonpoint Source (NPS) impairments on a watershed-wide basis. Eligible entities are strongly encouraged to submit applications that develop and/or implement watershed-based plans designed to restore NPS-impaired waters and protect waters from NPS pollution. Applications are due January 24, 2019. More information.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has issued a call for proposals for projects that improve community health and well-being, advance health equity, while also addressing climate change adaptation or mitigation. Eligible applicants include: Federally Recognized Tribes, State Recognized Tribes, and Indigenous organizations. Applications are due by February 8, 2019. Learn more.

The Tribal Exchange Network Conference, originally planned for February 26-28, 2019, is postponed until further notice. For updates.

2019 National Tribal Public Health Summit Call for Proposals. The National Indian Health Board is accepting proposals for presentations that highlight evidence-based, best, wise, or promising practices developed in and for Tribal communities. Presentation categories include Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Public Health Policy, Infrastructure, and Systems, Substance Misuse and Behavioral Health, Environmental Health and Climate Change, Emergency Preparedness and Emerging Issues in Public Health. The summit will take place May 13-15, 2019 at the Albuquerque Convention Center. More information.

Network for Landscape Conservation announces the launch of Landscape Conservation Catalyst Fund, a major five-year national grant program to accelerate the pace and practice of collaborative conservation at the landscape scale

Upcoming Events

February 20 | Living Shorelines for Erosion Control on Estuarine Shorelines | Wanchese, NC
In this workshop, staff from the Division of Coastal Management and North Carolina Coastal Federation will provide information about the benefits of living shorelines in North Carolina, discuss various living shoreline design options, how to permit these projects and an overview of best practices for creating living shorelines. The event is free and is specifically intended for marine contractors, engineers, landscape architects, land use planners, floodplain managers and other professionals. View the agenda or register here.

March 4-8 | 84th North American Wildlife & Natural Resources Conference | Denver, CO
The conference is a regular gathering of professionals to learn and exchange ideas, through a formal program, related meetings and other scheduled business, social and educational events. Attendees will gain a better understanding of the origins, complexities and likely solutions to current conservation issues, and a better sense of the need for and the methods to achieve coordinated, cooperative management of the continent’s wildlife. Register here.

March 13-17 | CitSci2019 Conference | Raleigh, NC
Citizen Science Association’s biennial conference is a rare place where people doing many different kinds of work come together to exchange ideas, meet collaborators and new mentors (or mentees), and overall be both challenged and inspired. CitSci2019, Growing our Family Tree, is all about broadening this citizen science community and providing a space where we can all share and learn together.

May 5-8 | Keeping History Above Water Conference | St. Augustine, FL
This conference will explore the impacts of sea level rise on historic coastal and river communities and cultural resources through the lens of time. With the theme of Envision 2050, emphasis is placed on policies, programs, and projects that address the situation in the short-term (defined as 30 years). Presenters will share research, strategies, and case studies of real-world applications that will physically, socially, and economically transform the world as we adapt the world to sea level rise over the next few decades.

June 19-21 | At What Point Managed Retreat? Resilience Building in the Coastal Zone | New York, NY
This conference, organized by the Climate Adaptation Initiative at Columbia University’s Earth Institute, is an effort to address issues related to sea level rise and coastal flooding across the globe. The event will connect leaders from a variety of disciplines to advance the dialogue around sea-level rise science and policy. Those involved in policy, planning, or corporate foresight activities are invited to submit an abstract for presentation, due on February 1, 2019.

Opportunities

Student Announcements

NC Foundation for Soil and Water Conservation has opened the application period for the Careers In Conservation Scholarship Program. This program is dedicated to increasing the number of qualified individuals working in the field of natural resource management and related fields. Applicants must be a resident of North Carolina and have plans to attend a college in North Carolina. Applications are due at 5pm on January 31, 2019. Apply here.

Hiring Announcements

Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University has a new position available for a tenure track Assistant or Associate professor focusing on Diversity and Inclusion in Natural Resources. Applications are due by January 18, 2019. Apply here.

EcoAdapt is hiring an Associate Scientist for a full-time position in the Seattle, Washington metro area. The selected candidate will work closely with the State of Adaptation program, a research initiative designed to raise awareness of and build capacity for on-the-ground climate adaptation action. Applications are due by 5pm on January 28, 2019. More information.

National Academy of Science Gulf Research Program has opened the application period for the Early-Career Research Fellowship. This fellowship aims to support emerging leaders in the field as they research unique, untested ideas and collaborate among a greater network of colleagues who are also aiming to improve offshore energy system safety and enhance the welfare of coastal ecosystems and communities. Applications will be accepted through February 20, 2019. More information.

Research Grants

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Wildlife Habitat Council are requesting proposals for the Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration grant program. This program seeks to develop community capacity to sustain local natural resources for future generations by providing modest financial assistance to diverse local partnerships focused on improving water quality, watersheds and the species and habitats they support. Proposals are due by January 31, 2019. More information.

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Longleaf Stewardship Fund 2019 is soliciting proposals to expand and enhance longleaf pine ecosystem restoration and management across longleaf pine’s historical range, as well as the restoration and enhancement of bottomland hardwood forests within priority focal areas. Proposals are due on February 7, 2019. More information.

The Environmental Justice Small Grants (EJSG) Program provides funding directly to community-based organizations for projects that help residents of underserved communities understand and address local environmental and public health issues. In general, the EJSG program awards grants that support community-driven projects designed to engage, educate, and empower communities to better understand local environmental and public health issues and develop strategies for addressing those issues, building consensus in the community, and setting community priorities. Applications are due February 15, 2019. More information.

Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium (MASGC) is pleased to announce a request for pre-proposals for 2020-2022 research funding. In this competition, MASGC will welcome projects in the following focus areas: Healthy Coastal Ecosystems, Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, Resilient Communities and Economies, and Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development. A review of MASGC’s 2018-21 Strategic Plan describes the strategic direction for this funding announcement. Proposals are due by February 15, 2019. More information.

North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grants increase bird populations and wetland habitat, while supporting local economies and American traditions such as hunting, fishing, bird watching, family farming, and cattle ranching. Wetlands protected by NAWCA provide valuable benefits such as flood control, reducing coastal erosion, improving water and air quality, and recharging ground water. The NAWCA program provides matching grants to wetlands conservation projects in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. There is a Standard and a Small Grants Program. First cycle grants are due February 22. Learn how to apply.

Miscellaneous

Thriving Earth Exchange asks all scientific partners to work with a community to help define a project with concrete local impact that they can contribute to as pro-bono volunteers and collaborators. Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017. One year later, the impact of landslides caused by the hurricane, directly or indirectly, on roads, bridges and private properties, continues to be a concern and a matter of urgency. This project seeks to source a number of volunteer Geologists to conduct more than 185 landslide inspections and reports, across 21 municipalities, on homes deemed to be in imminent danger of landslides. Learn more.

]]>February 7 3:30 pm Seminar: Current State of Sea Level Rise in North Carolinahttps://globalchange.ncsu.edu/february-7-330-pm-seminar-current-state-of-sea-level-rise-in-north-carolina/
Wed, 16 Jan 2019 00:58:08 +0000https://globalchange.ncsu.edu/?p=7600Global Change Seminar Hosted by Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Global Change Fellows Please join us for Current State of Sea Level Rise in North Carolina Thursday, February 7, 2019 from 3:30-4:30 pm in David Clark Labs Room 101, NC State University Snacks will be available beginning at ...

Discussions will cover the science behind sea level rise and the current conditions, future projections, and impacts in North Carolina. Researchers, Dr. Alejandro Ortiz, Dr. Devon Eulie, and Mariko Polk will provide 10-minute presentations on what causes sea level rise, current and future conditions of sea level rise in North Carolina, and impacts to different ecosystems in North Carolina, followed by an open discussion with the audience.

This seminar is sponsored by the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (SE CASC) and hosted by the SE CASC Global Change Fellows. It is the first of three seminars covering Sea Level Rise Impacts, Human Stories, and Adaptation in North Carolina.

]]>Southeast CASC 2018 Retrospectivehttps://globalchange.ncsu.edu/southeast-casc-2018-retrospective/
Thu, 10 Jan 2019 17:42:44 +0000https://globalchange.ncsu.edu/?p=7530As 2019 gets underway, the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center takes a look back at a few of the many accomplishments of 2018 that we’ll be building on in the year ahead. Publications We added more than 30 new publications to our database. For example, a Science article by a research team in...

]]>As 2019 gets underway, the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center takes a look back at a few of the many accomplishments of 2018 that we’ll be building on in the year ahead.

Publications

We added more than 30 new publications to our database. For example, a Science article by a research team including former Global Change Fellow identified areas where animals that change coat color have individuals of both colors in winter, indicating the potential for rapid evolutionary change in the face of warming climate. News post.

Research

In 2018 our dedicated team of staff and researchers have…
– Collaborated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in providing Species Status Assessments to inform decisions under the Endangered Species Act. News post.

– Engaged with tribal nations to ensure that their information and technical needs are being met in the face of climate change. News post.

– Received an Honorable Mention for the 2017 Department of the Interior Environmental Achievement Award for the project, Protecting Cultural Resources in the Face of Climate Change. News post.

– Continued work to support conservation strategies for at-risk amphibian species in Puerto Rico, in spite of the destruction caused by Hurricane Maria. Link to article.

Outreach

These events allowed us to share our science with research and management communities throughout the Southeast and collaborate with partners and stakeholders. SE CASC was present at:

American Geophysical Union (AGU)

Carolinas Climate Resilience Conference (CCRC)

Southeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA)

American Fisheries Society (AFS)

Ecological Society of America (ESA)

A Look Ahead to 2019

We will be launching a NCA4 newsletter series, taking a more in-depth look at some of the relevant chapters that were released as part the Fourth National Climate Assessment.

]]>Experts Examine Challenges of Food Production Under Climate Changehttps://globalchange.ncsu.edu/experts-examine-challenges-of-food-production-under-climate-change/
Mon, 07 Jan 2019 18:03:03 +0000https://globalchange.ncsu.edu/?p=7509This post was written by Laura Hamon, 2018-19 Global Change Fellow. It summarizes the second of the Global Change Seminar series organized by the Global Change Fellows on November 1, 2018, a panel discussion on impacts of shifting temperature and precipitation patterns on agriculture and aquaculture...

]]>This post was written by Laura Hamon, 2018-19 Global Change Fellow. It summarizes the second of the Global Change Seminar series organized by the Global Change Fellows on November 1, 2018, a panel discussion on impacts of shifting temperature and precipitation patterns on agriculture and aquaculture production.

On November 1st 2018, the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Global Change Fellows hosted a panel entitled “Food and Water Scarcity in the Face of Climate Change”. Moderator Emilee Briggs led the speakers and audience in a discussion on the challenges to food production at both a global and local scale under climate change.

When asked broadly about how climate change will affect food security, the panelists cited both personal observations and worldwide trends on changes in agriculture. Kamal Bell is co-founder of Sankofa Farms, an organization that seeks to target the disparity in food availability faced by those living in food deserts. Mr. Bell expects the quality of food grown by Sankofa to be stressed by climate change and anticipates increased reliance on animals and produce that can adapt to changing temperatures. Dr. Rob Dunn, a professor in the Department of Applied Ecology at NCSU, suggested that regions with difficult climates for farming will find it even more difficult to farm, potentially leading to unrest.

The negative impacts of climate change will clearly not affect everyone equally, and some groups are expected to be particularly vulnerable. Dr. Abby Lynch, a research fish biologist at USGS, discussed the threats faced by those who depend on subsistence fishing for a living. At a more local scale, Mr. Bell predicted that people living in south and east Durham will especially feel the effects of decreased food security. In order to adapt, Mr. Bell asserted that people may need to alter their eating habits to reflect species that will be more sustainably produced under new environmental conditions.

A major theme of the discussion was how local social change will strongly affect how the world adapts to climate change in terms of food production. Dr. Lynch pointed to a need for greater inclusion of subsistence fishers into the discussion of changing resource availability. According to Mr. Bell, for people to become personally invested in sustainable food production, it is important that they have a sense of ownership over their land and farms. Therefore, income disparity and displacement through gentrification can introduce a disconnect between people and agriculture. When asked by Dr. Dunn how the NCSU research community can be helpful to organizations like Sankofa Farms, Mr. Bell said simply that we can “share new information” with the groups that need it most.

Food and water availability will face escalating challenges under climate change. Based on our panel discussion, our ability to adapt to these challenges lies in our ability to link local sustainability efforts with worldwide mobilization.

]]>Seminar Panel Discusses Fire Management in a Changing Climatehttps://globalchange.ncsu.edu/seminar-panel-discusses-fire-management-in-a-changing-climate/
Mon, 07 Jan 2019 16:18:38 +0000https://globalchange.ncsu.edu/?p=7501This post was written by Bonnie Myers, 2018-19 Global Change Fellow. It summarizes the first of the Global Change Seminar series organized by the Global Change Fellows on October 11, 2018, A panel discussion on fire and its effects on human and ecological communities in a changing world. Panelists:...

]]>This post was written by Bonnie Myers, 2018-19 Global Change Fellow. It summarizes the first of the Global Change Seminar series organized by the Global Change Fellows on October 11, 2018, A panel discussion on fire and its effects on human and ecological communities in a changing world.

Panelists:Dr. Fernando Garcia Menendez, NCSU, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental EngineeringDr. Christopher (Chris) Moorman, NCSU, Department of Forestry and Environmental ResourcesHoney Minkowitz, NCSU, School of Public and International AffairsDaisy Mills, NCSU School of Public and International AffairsDr. Joseph Roise, NCSU, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources

Seminar Summary

Photo of a forest fire. (Credit USGS. Public domain)

Fire management in the United States is already a difficult task in that it involves managing not only the natural resources but also educating and informing citizens on appropriate fire management and response. In the context of climate change, new obstacles and factors must be considered in fire management planning, mitigation, and public education. To highlight the added complexity that global climate change brings to fire management, specifically in the Southeast U.S., the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center brought together experts in the fire management field with backgrounds in environmental engineering, public affairs, and forest resources to discuss additional risks and strategies in a changing climate.

Prescribed fire is one potential tool to mitigate the effects of climate change on wildfires; however, time of year, weather conditions, and weather forecasts and predictions must all be considered when determining timing of burns as even small increases in rain affect if burning will be effective. Agencies have started communicating the importance of prescribed burning and wildfires to ecosystems and fire management to communities. Prescribed fire events such as Fire Festivals (Fire in the Pines Festival) and social media campaigns, like that conducted by the Fire Chasers, have been successful in educating and informing the public on management plans and their importance. Other supplemental fire management tools in addition to prescribed fires include mowing, herbicides, mechanical removal, and even using goats to reduce plant biomass.

Increasing urbanization is also a major aspect to consider in fire management, which presents added challenges to fire management and requires more community engagement, especially as climate change is expected to affect intensity of extreme weather events, such as wildlife and drought. Ultimately, fire managers and agencies must build meaningful and long-term relationships with both rural and urban communities to increase education about fire management and risk of wildfires. Luckily, North Carolina in particular is in a unique and promising situation where not only the federal and state agencies but private, non-governmental organizations and communities are on board with fire management. These groups foster positive communication and collaboration to manage fire effectively for human safety, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem health.

A full recording of the panel discussion was not captured due to technical difficulties. Partial recording of the seminar is available upon request.

]]>Gathering Oral Histories of Drought and Extreme Weather in the Caribbeanhttps://globalchange.ncsu.edu/gathering-oral-histories-of-drought-and-extreme-weather-in-the-caribbean/
Fri, 04 Jan 2019 05:39:39 +0000https://globalchange.ncsu.edu/?p=7483In a recent article, PhD student Melody Hunter-Pillion describes her work on facilitating oral history interviews in the field with scientists from Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands. The project was conducted alongside SE CASC staff and Assistant University Director for SE CASC, Aranzazu Lascurain. ...

]]>In a recent article, PhD student Melody Hunter-Pillion describes her work on facilitating oral history interviews in the field with scientists from Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands. The project was conducted alongside SE CASC staff and Assistant University Director for SE CASC, Aranzazu Lascurain. The original NC State news post by Ingrid Hoffius can be viewed here. Learn more about the Caribbean Oral History Project here.

This past Summer, PhD student, Melody Hunter-Pillion, traveled to Puerto Rico with Aranzazu Lascurain, Assistant University Director at the Global Change Forum/SE Climate Adaptation Science Center at NC State and James Currie – Multimedia Specialist, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science – to conduct oral history interviews in the field with scientists from Puerto Rico.

Melody Hunter-Pillion in El Yunque conducting oral history interviews in the field.

Tell me how you got involved in this project?

I was taking Dr. Kelley’s Oral History class, and near the end of the semester, she let us know that she had received a request from the SE Climate Adaptation Science Center (SE CASC). They were looking for a historian to join them on a trip to Puerto Rico to collect oral histories. They wanted someone who has learned the oral history protocols. I was interested so I sent a resume, writing samples, and interviewed with them about why I wanted to go to Puerto Rico, and why I wanted to do Humanities work in a scientific field. It appealed to me because not only would I be able to practice what I had just learned – but also I’d be able to work with scientists and see how they viewed oral history. I’m also very interested in the Caribbean Islands and their history and how that history connects to American history.

What were the oral histories you were collecting?

The group that I went with from SE CASC, along with the U.S Geological Survey, were putting together a Caribbean Drought Workshop. This workshop was for professionals in water management and agriculture who were concerned about drought – specifically, what was currently going on, how to approach handling it, and how to help communities be more resilient and do things in a different way to get through drought and other extreme weather events. They decided that part of what they wanted to do with the workshop was to talk to the people who go through this – residents and people who manage these very important sectors when it comes to the ecology, drought, hurricanes and recovery from them. They would not only capture their stories, but find out what they’re going through and allow them the opportunity to contribute something that can be placed in an archive. Other researchers and members of the community can go back and see that experience, see strategies that they adopted or were thinking about doing and perhaps learn more about resiliency in the future.

Did they give you a set of questions to ask?

Yes. In one of our very first meetings –well before traveling to Puerto Rico – Dr. Kelley met and spoke with the scientists and other people in the SE CASC about how oral history can supplement their work. She explained how it has its own protocols and methodology, and part of that protocol is to have established questions and a framework. But then one also has that flexibility while you’re interviewing people to ask some other things if it’s going to enhance the product that you’re going to archive. So the SE CASC had their set of questions, I added questions and we went through and edited the final list and sent those questions to Dr. Kelley for her thoughts.

Melody Hunter-Pillion interviewing with Soledad Gaztambide.

Were you comfortable in that role of interviewer?

I’ve interviewed people as a journalist, but oral history interviews are not like journalistic interviews. I had to relearn how to interview people, so I didn’t come in feeling like an expert at all. I really learned some great skills from Dr. Kelley, but going on the trip taught me more. I absolutely felt comfortable, but also it gave me this great sense of the importance of what I was doing and how my colleagues from another department needed me and depended on me to do the job they wanted done and to do it well – the gravity of that really was impressed on me. It made me realize that I am, and I am becoming a public historian. I had to get it right because it really reflects on the program.

So you feel that the Public History course you took really prepared you for your role as oral historian on the project?

Yes, and not only did the course prepare me, but Dr. Kelley continued to give me support. I felt like the program was totally behind me and didn’t leave me floundering out there on my own. When I had questions, she steered me in the right direction and always made me feel very capable.

Another great thing about this project was working with other departments across the university like the Southeast Climate Center and the library who, by the way, were very accommodating with helping us figure out what we needed in terms of equipment and selecting a space for oral histories. There was an assumption that the collection would be here, and then we were so surprised that NCSU was not the right location. Researchers would not come here to find this information. So Virginia Ferris, a librarian at the NCSU Special Collections Research Center pointed us to the universities and collections where researchers are already going to find climate change, drought, or Carribean resources they need. We found that the two places that Virginia told us would be the strongest were indeed the places where our collection of narratives belongs – and ultimately we chose the University of Florida which is connected to the Digital Library of the Caribbean.

You didn’t need to have that figured out before you went to Puerto Rico?

When asking people for interviews, part of the protocol is that you let them know where the information will live. We told them tentatively it would be at NCSU libraries or it might be moved to another repository. But I’m really glad this happened because it was a learning opportunity, and it let me see that with collections you have to consider access for the type of people that can make the most use of your materials – where will the most eyes see it – and it doesn’t need to be at your own university if it doesn’t make sense for it to be there.

Were the interviews videotaped?

We had an exceptional videographer – James Curry, from the University of Maryland. We also had Aranzazu to conduct the interviews with people who wanted to do them in Spanish which I feel adds to the richness of the collection. It may not be the biggest collection, but there is real quality and diversity.

Initially, what will be available and pretty quickly is each narrator’s interview in video and audio as well as the entire transcript. To add to that, Jamie is cutting a two-minute video vignette about each person. Ultimately, the SE CASC will present their project for the USGS at a conference and hopefully inspire other scientists to see the value in oral history.

Do you think you’ll be doing more projects like this in the future?

I hope so. When I was conducting interviews in Purerto Rico, I saw that I made a difference. When we were interviewing people, they wanted to tell their stories – it meant something to them. I thought to myself, I’m part of something that has meaning. I’m enabling people to make what I hope will be a large contribution to their community. So in some small way I made a difference.

The U.S. Caribbean Drought Workshop, of which the oral history project was one component, was funded by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Climate Adaptation Science Center (NCASC) and held in collaboration with the Southeast CASC and the USDA Caribbean Climate Hub. The workshop was hosted by Bill Gould (Director, Caribbean Climate Hub) at the International Institute of Tropical Forestry in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Kate Malpeli (Biologist, NCASC) and Shawn Carter (Acting Chief, NCASC) organized the workshop in close partnership with colleagues from the Southeast CASC, Caribbean Climate Hub, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Approximately 50 participants, the majority of whom were from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, attended the workshop.

The oral history component of the project was funded by North Carolina State University and NCASC. Aranzazu Lascurain (Assistant University Director, Southeast CASC), Cari Furiness (Program Manager, Southeast CASC), and Kate Malpeli coordinated the effort. Melody Hunter-Pillion (NCSU) served as the project’s oral history adviser and interviewed participants, along with Aranzazu Lascurain. Jamie Currie (Multimedia Specialist, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science) served as videographer and is currently processing the interviews.

The project is also thankful to Dr. Blair Kelley for her time and guidance to ensure a quality oral history collection.

The repository for the oral history collection is the Digital Library of the Caribbean, managed by the University of Florida.

Tribal Climate Liaison Casey Thornbrugh gave a presentation to and participated in a panel discussion for US FWS NE and SE regional employees, on the topics of Tribal history and engagement and ongoing Tribal climate adaptation activities.

Paul Armsworth (Consortium PI at Univ. of Tennessee) co-authored a paper in Conservation Biology, A landscape of conservation philanthropy for U.S.land trusts. In a case study that explores philanthropic giving to The Nature Conservancy, the research team identified communities across the US that are primed to provide increased support for conservation.

All of us at the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center wish you a peaceful holiday season and prosperous new year

Resources

FEATURED RESOURCE

The Fourth National Climate Assessment Volume II – Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation
NCA4 is a federally mandated scientific assessment that evaluates current and projected climate related effects. This report is extensive and provides an in depth analysis of numerous climate change impacts on a regional and national scale. Overall, this report makes clear that climate change ramifications have already begun to impair our natural systems and encourages global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, it is important that the public remain well-informed of these climate change related consequences, as well as adaptation and mitigation options to reduce further destruction. Access the full report. Also available are the Report in Brief and Summary Findings.

The first volume of the Fourth National Climate Assessment, entitled “Climate Science Special Report,” was released in November of 2017. This 15-chapter report presents an assessment and analysis of the science behind climate change and its physical impacts. The purpose of this assessment was to provide a foundation to assess climate-related risks and inform decision-making efforts. View the full report or an executive summary.

Frequently Asked Questions from the NCA4 are available. The questions presented are updated from the Third National Climate Assessment, along with new questions that correspond with emerging scientific analysis. Read more.

Cuarta Evaluación Nacional del Clima. The Report in Brief of the Fourth National Climate Assessment Volume II is also available in Spanish. This translation enables Spanish-speaking audiences to be properly informed of current and projected climate impacts, risks, and adaptation strategies. University Assistant Director Aranzazu Lascurain was part of the team of Spanish translation editors. Read here.

Second State of the Carbon Cycle Report (SOCCR2). A collaborative effort by North American nations to assess and provide the second update of carbon cycle science across the continent. SE CASC Research Ecologist Adam Terando contributed as review editor to the report. Read more.

Five Myths about Climate Change. Katharine Hayhoe, professor of atmospheric science and director of the Texas Tech Climate Science Center, was published in the Washington Post following the release of the NCA4. She explains the five myths that she hears most frequently regarding climate change science. Read the article.

Aranzazu Lascurain, SE CSAC assistant director, explains some impacts to consider for the North Carolina region following the release of the NCA4. Read the interview here.

Notable Publications

A global assessment of Indigenous community engagement in climate research. Authors conducted a review of the structure and process of engagement of Indigenous communities in climate change research, developing an analytical framework for examining community engagement in research practice that included a scale of levels of community participation and a set of indicators for responsible research practice with Indigenous communities. They found that 87% of climate studies utilize a model in which researchers use Indigenous knowledge with minimal active participation or decision making of the community who holds the knowledge. The paper concludes with a series of guiding questions and methods to support responsible research practice with Indigenous and local communities. Link to article.

Estimating Recent Local Impacts of Sea-Level Rise on Current Real-Estate Losses: A Housing Market Case Study in Miami-Dade, Florida. This study measured the loss of real-estate value when future sea level rise projections are considered by modeling the potential impact on property values with projections and tidal forces. Populations located in coastal regions are impacted significantly by sea level rise which results in flooding, especially in conjunction with low-elevation spots, affecting some of the most populated communities as well as pricey real estate. With consensus that rising sea levels will result in an increase in flooding in coastal regions, the authors observed property transactions that took place between 2005 and 2016 in Miami-Dade County. Results of their analysis found that when considering an average of 2,633 square feet of living area that coastal properties are at risk to lose on average $1,276.09 in value every year dating back to 2005 and that the relationship between tidal flood risk and time is both statistically significant and negative. Link to article.

Natural climate solutions for the United States. The Paris Climate Agreement set a baseline of a 2 degree celsius reduction in global atmospheric temperature, authors explore the potential of Natural Climate Solutions (“NCS”) in achieving conservation, restoration, and management as a strategy to work towards this goal. Their work looks at 21 potential solutions to achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and gases, including reforestation, wetland restoration, and fire management. Link to article.

River-discharge effects on United States Atlantic and Gulf coast sea-level changes. Authors used observations and previous methodology to study the relationship between river discharge and coastal sea level along the Gulf of Maine, Mid-Atlantic Bight, South Atlantic Bight, and Gulf of Mexico. Analyzing relative sea level and river discharge data from 1910 and 2017, they determine that between 6-15 percent of annual sea-level variance may be caused from river discharge and that correlations between the two variables are roughly consistent with expectations from theories for alongshore transport downstream of coastal river plumes. They suggest that their findings should also be applicable to other global coastal locations and highlight the need for assessing river discharge in remote sensing and climate modeling. Link to article.

Topography and soils-based mapping reveals fine-scale compositional shifts over two centuries within a central Appalachian landscape. Journal Abstract. When public lands were surveyed in the U.S., “witness trees” were often recorded to facilitate the relocation of property boundaries, and these records provide a snapshot of forest conditions prior to Euro-American settlement and land clearing. This study utilizes witness trees and present-day plot data to explore long-term vegetation changes at a regional scale. Landscape classes for a 5000 km2 study area in Appalachian Ohio were defined by slope, aspect, topographic position, soil pH, and available water capacity. Specifically, regionally documented changes in land use, drought, N deposition, and fire at the time of the original surveys lead to altered competitive relationships. Link to article.

Urbanization exacerbated the rainfall and flooding caused by hurricane Harvey in Houston.Journal Abstract. Category 4 landfalling hurricane Harvey poured more than a metre of rainfall across the heavily populated Houston area, leading to unprecedented flooding and damage. Although studies have focused on the contribution of anthropogenic climate change to this extreme rainfall event, limited attention has been paid to the potential effects of urbanization on the hydrometeorology associated with hurricane Harvey. Overall, we find that the probability of such extreme flood events across the studied basins increased on average by about 21 times in the period 25–30 August 2017 because of urbanization. Link to article.

Tribal News

A Tribal Climate Adaptation Guidebook has just been released by the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute (OCCRI)-Oregon State University. This guidebook provides steps and recommendations for Tribal Nations for climate adaptation planning and can be found on the OCCRI website.

Seeking Justice in an Energy Sacrifice Zone is an ethnography of the lived experience of rapid environmental change in coastal Louisiana. Writing from a political ecology perspective, the book explores the effects of changes to localized climate and ecology on the Isle de Jean Charles, Grand Caillou/Dulac, and Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribes. Focusing in particular on wide-ranging displacement effects, the book argues that changes to climate and ecology should not be viewed in isolation as only physical processes but as part of wider socio-political and historical contexts. Order the book here. Use code “HUM20” for 20% off of your purchase.

Upcoming Events

January 2019 | Climate Academy | Webinar Series
Natural resource and conservation professionals are tasked with understanding climate change impacts and using this knowledge in making decisions. This 8 week online course is designed to cover the fundamentals of climate science, provide an overview of tools and resources for climate adaptation, and increase climate literacy and communication skills. The course is designed to encourage networking among conservation professionals engaged in the management of fish, wildlife, habitat and cultural resources and provides participants an opportunity to interact with experts as they address case studies across multiple habitat types. Beginning in January 2019, a webinar session with leading experts in these topics, will be held every week for 8 weeks, for a total of 8 sessions. Tuition fee for this course is $200.00.

April 23-25 | Sea Level Hotspots from Florida to Maine – Drivers, Impacts, and Adaptation | Norfolk, Virginia
This workshop is focused on the drivers, impacts and adaptation strategies of sea level rise along the eastern coast of the United States. Discussions will focus on current sea-level change monitoring efforts and resilience strategies, providing a collaborative space for the science community to engage with local coastal resilience managers and experts. Participation is limited to 80 attendees who will be selected through an application process. Applications are due on January 7th.

Opportunities

Student Announcements
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has opened a call for applications for a PhD position on the impacts of climate change on winter biodiversity. The selected student will be integrating bird and mammal observations with satellite snow cover and thermal data to develop species distribution models that will determine the effectiveness of current winter biodiversity conservation efforts. A working knowledge of population modeling, GIS, and statistics is required. Application deadline is December 23, 2018. More information.

The Ecological Society for America is now accepting applications for the Katherine S. McCarter Graduate Student Policy Award. Current graduate students interested in science and policy have the opportunity to meet with congressional policymakers, attend trainings, and hear from current leaders in this sector. All travel, lodging and meals are funded through the award. The event will be held on March 25-27, 2019. Applications due January 13, 2019. Apply here.

The North Carolina Sea Grant has opened the application period for the 2019 Coastal Management Fellows. This fellowship provides education and research experience for postgraduate students interested in the field of coastal resource management and policy. The selected student will be working on a state proposed project that will be selected by NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management. Applications are due January 18th, 2019. Apply here.

Hiring Announcements
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is looking to fill two tenure-track Assistant Professor positions at the Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS). Selected candidates will be working in the field of interdisciplinary marine conservation ecology with a specific focus on fishery systems and communities. Applications are due on January 16, 2019. More information.

NOAA/NOS/National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science | Ecological Effects of Sea Level Rise Program
This solicitation is to improve adaptation and planning in response to regional and local effects of sea level rise and coastal inundation through targeted research on key technologies, natural and nature-based infrastructure, physical and biological processes, and model evaluation. Applications close Jan. 16, 2019.

]]>Southeast CASC Scientists Improving Use of Climate Science in Species Status Assessmentshttps://globalchange.ncsu.edu/southeast-casc-scientists-improving-use-of-climate-science-in-species-status-assessments/
Tue, 18 Dec 2018 03:14:07 +0000https://globalchange.ncsu.edu/?p=7463Southeast CASC scientists, and scientists across the CASC network, are supporting the US Fish and Wildlife Service by providing reviews and training for the Species Status Assessment (SSA) process. SSA is a scientific assessment of species life history, biology, and consideration of current and futu...

Southeast CASC scientists, and scientists across the CASC network, are supporting the US Fish and Wildlife Service by providing reviews and training for the Species Status Assessment (SSA) process. SSA is a scientific assessment of species life history, biology, and consideration of current and future vulnerabilities that is used to inform a range of decisions under the Endangered Species Act, including listing determinations, consultations, grant allocations, permitting, and recovery planning.

Most regional CASCs are assisting with scientific reviews of SSA documents on the climate risks to species and their habitat. The Southeast CASC is helping to lead this effort with training on using climate science and the best practices in using climate data and climate model projections to assess risk. In February, SE CASC Deputy Director Ryan Boyles provided a 3-hour workshop on using climate science and models for the North Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. In November, Ryan Boyles and SE CASC Research Ecologist Adam Terando participated in the annual summit of the SSA Framework Implementation Team with a presentation and discussions on how to support the improved use of climate science and climate model projections by US FWS species biologists and SSA teams. Southeast and Northeast CASCs are planning pilot projects in the next year that will provide dedicated scientific and technical analysis to support SSA efforts in the eastern US.

]]>Are you going to the 2018 American Geophysical Union Fall meeting (December 10-14, 2018) in Washington, D.C.? Check out these presentations from the published papers and sessions of leadership, researchers, staff, and Global Change Fellows of the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center!

]]>Impacts to the Southeast to Consider from the Fourth National Climate Assessmenthttps://globalchange.ncsu.edu/impacts-to-the-southeast-to-consider-from-the-fourth-national-climate-assessment/
Wed, 28 Nov 2018 19:17:40 +0000https://globalchange.ncsu.edu/?p=7425A recent article based on an interview with SE CASC University Assistant Director Aranzazu Lascurain highlights contributions by NC State University faculty and SE CASC staff to Volume II of the Fourth National Climate Assessment released (NCA4) on November 23, and the impacts to North Carolina and...

]]>A recent article based on an interview with SE CASC University Assistant Director Aranzazu Lascurain highlights contributions by NC State University faculty and SE CASC staff to Volume II of the Fourth National Climate Assessment released (NCA4) on November 23, and the impacts to North Carolina and the southeastern US. The original NC State news release by Matt Shipman can be viewed here.

What The Climate Assessment Tells Us About Impacts to North Carolina

Flooding near the Cape Fear River during Hurricane Florence in 2018. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Mary Junell)

The U.S. government rolled out its fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA4) on Nov. 23, and it has garnered a lot of headlines. The bulk of these stories focus on global challenges. Because several researchers at NC State were involved in crafting the report, we wanted to ask them about issues directly relevant to the southeastern United States, and to North Carolina specifically.

Aranzazu Lascurain: The NCA4 (Volume II) is a scientific assessment of climate change impacts, risks and adaptation across the United States. It builds upon the physical science assessment presented in Volume I of NCA4, the Climate Science Special Report, released in November 2017. More than 300 people were involved in this assessment.

The assessment was written to help inform decision-makers, utility and natural resource managers, public health officials, emergency planners, and other stakeholders by providing a thorough examination of the effects of climate change on the United States. This report is meant for professionals and the general public, it is not a report for other scientists.

TA: The report is pretty long. Are there particular highlights that you would single out for mention?

Lascurain: The assessment is divided into regions and topics. Since NC State and the SE CASC are located in Raleigh, reading the Southeast Chapter is highly recommended. As is the Climate Science Special Report.

TA: What does the assessment have to tell us about the climate forecast for North Carolina and the southeastern United States?

Lascurain: There are a lot of points worth making here, but I’ll just list a handful.

High tide flooding is now posing daily risks to businesses, neighborhoods, infrastructure, transportation and ecosystems in the Southeast.

Sea level rise will result in the rapid conversion of coastal, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems to tidal saline habitats.

A longer freeze-free season.

Moderate to high level of mosquito vector borne disease. The Southeast is the region of the country with the greatest potential for mosquito activity. Warming temperatures have the potential to expand mosquito habitat and disease risk.

Heavier precipitation events.

The Southeast contains many of the fastest-growing urban areas in the country, including a dozen of the top 20 fastest-growing metropolitan areas (by percentage) in 2016, causing climate vulnerabilities such as higher vulnerabilities from vector-borne diseases as compared to rural areas, heat waves, and flooding. This, however, does allow the Southeast to re-think development patterns to better adapt to climate change.

More and longer summer heat waves.

Infrastructure in the South is vulnerable. By 2050, the Southeast is the region expected to have the most vulnerable bridges. Bridges serve as important human evacuation outlets, but can be impacted by increased wave loads from storm surges and in areas where sea level rise is pronounced.

Intra-annual droughts are expected to increase, as are wildfires.

TA: What was NC State’s involvement in developing the new assessment?

Lascurain: Both Ken Kunkel and Adam Terando, who perform federally affiliated research at NC State, have been involved in previous assessments. Because of the SE CASC partnership with NC State, and numerous federal agencies in the area, participation by NC State and federally affiliated researchers has a historical antecedent. I was asked to submit two case studies on impacts to tribes, because of the SE CASC’s work with tribes in the Southeast on climate adaptation.

[Editor’s Note: Sankar Arumugam, a professor in NC State’s Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, is co-author of the NCA4’s chapter on Water.]

TA: There’s an entire section of the report focused on response strategies. In addition to policy-level actions, are there things that everyday folks can do to make a difference?

Lascurain: Our job isn’t to prescribe policy, but to provide information that’s relevant to policy. The NCA4 is intended to provide the general public and climate adaptation and mitigation professionals the information they need to make their own climate adaptation decisions. For individuals, all we can say is that supporting climate adaptation efforts or demanding these of our local governments is a good place to start. Find out what your community’s top climate vulnerabilities are, and get involved.